The Pi9 resistance gene locus, conferring a broad-spectrum resistance against Magnaporthe oryzae, is consist by several tandem homologous genes. Over 10 resistance genes have been cloned from this gene locus. This study aims to clarify the R gene composition at Pi9 locus in rice resource materials and promote the application of those genes in rice resistance breeding.

Comparing the DNA sequence of cloned R genes at Pi9 locus, the specific nucleotide polymorphism sites were screened as the candidate sites. Subsequently, each R gene was blasted with 155 rice genomes in the database of Rice Resource Center. The most specific nucleotide polymorphism sites were picked out from the candidate site in each gene to develop primer pair of molecular markers. The PCR product of primer pairs was used to mark indicated R gene in tested rice materials via parameter optimization. To verify the results, the R genes were cloned from indicated rice variety randomly and examined by Sanger sequencing, or analyzed the R genes from the genome database if the genome sequence of indicated rice variety exists in Rice Resource Center. The R genes in Pi9 locus have high homology, which cause same specific nucleotide polymorphism sites existing in different R genes. Therefore, some R genes are hardly identified by one molecular marker. For this case, several molecular markers were employed to identify the indicated R gene simultaneously. Moreover, some specific nucleotide polymorphism sites are single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), in where the primers of molecular markers have a mismatched base. In order to improve the specificity of PCR amplification, the adjacent base of SNP was mutated to generate two mismatched bases at 3′ site of primer.

Finally, the valid molecular markers were developed for each R gene and identified 32.09% tested materials containing R genes at Pi9 locus. Pi9, Pid4, PigmR, Piz-t, Pi2 and Pi9-type5 are present in 1, 7, 8, 14, 23 and 33 tested materials, respectively. The Pi9 only presents in monogenic line but not in rice parent lines. The other genes are usually present in two or more gene combinations in rice parent lines. The Pi9-type5 often presents in pair with Pi2 and Piz-t, and presents alone in three rice parents, Chenghui 993, HR2168 and Mianhui 365. Yuhui 38 contains the most R genes at Pi9 locus, including Pi2, Pi9-type5, PigmR and Pid4. Chuangu B, Chuannong 4B, Neixiang 6B and Shuang 1B contain Piz-t, PigmR and Pid4. Qianxiang 654B contains Piz-t and Pid4.

This study successfully developed specific molecular markers for six homologous rice blast resistance genes in Pi9 locus and identified the R gene composition in Pi9 locus for 110 rice parent lines that used in rice breeding in Sichuan basin. It also discovered different types of R genes combination at Pi9 locus and provided a clear reference for choosing the resistance source in rice breeding.